Pig's nose bat
The pig nose bat has a very unique aspect. The fact of being so small also encourages another name, bat bumblebee. It is the smallest of all bat species and one of the smallest mammals in the world.
They weigh less than ¼ ounce and measure about an inch in length. Their ears are large when you consider the small size of the rest of the body, they have a tail, but many people do not notice it, it is so small that it is difficult to see. They have long wings and many people wonder how they are able to fly.
The color of this bat is different from the others, the pig-nosed bat possess a reddish and gray color, instead of black. As its name suggests, it has a nose similar to that of a pig.
Anatomy
The pig-nosed bat has a strange anatomy, to say the least. Many experts wonder how he is able to fly with such dimensions. However, it has been determined that they have extra straps between the hind legs, this kind of ribbon helps this bat species to have control over its movements during the flight.
Despite its small size, the pig-nosed bat has very strong legs and claws. They have fingers that curve and allow them to rest easily. They have a locking mechanism of the tendon that allows you to remain in this position without consuming energy at all.
They use the eco location to be able to navigate in their environment. They are able to create a kind of map in their mind about the arrangement of objects in their environment.
Evolution
We have absolutely no fossil record of the pig-nosed bat, which makes it difficult to fully understand the evolution process of these bats. They have some points in common with different species of bats, this could indicate the areas where these bats bifurcate from the rest.
Behavior
Most bat species form very large colonies. However, the pig-nosed bat does not and its colonies have about 100 members. Most have much less and, in some cases, they are only 10.
Another difference of this bat is that they stretch while resting, while all other bat species are stacked very close to each other. It is believed that this species does not need to rely on other body heat, as most species of bats do.
bat-nose-of-pig This particular species of bat was discovered in the early 1970s and there are still many things that we do not know about them. Experts believe that there may be more areas in which this bat lives, but have not yet been identified.
Habitat and distribution
There are a limited number of areas in which the pig-nosed bat lives, so there is not much chance of seeing them in the wild. They are found throughout the southeastern part of Burma and in areas of western Thailand. They live both along the forest areas and in limestone caves along the river. They are also found in the Sai Yok National Park.
Diet and eating habits
The pig-nosed bat lives very close to the water, which means that they are able to find many insects to eat. Flies are in the largest insect supply around this area and they make up the majority of their diet. They also consume a variety of spiders. They usually feed when they are still in flight and are able to catch their prey in flight.
There are numerous bamboo and teak trees in their habitat, and they are able to fly very high above them to find their food sources.
The pig nose bat reproduces at a slow pace, and this is a serious problem for its future. Experts try to find out more about the mature age of these bats, their mating rituals to try to get them to breed quickly in captivity, however, it is difficult to study in the natural environment.
Predators
Due to the small size of the pig-nosed bat they have several different predators that they should avoid. This includes birds, snakes, squirrels, cats, and even other types of bats.
Humans tend to hunt this bat. Due to their small size they are not afraid of them, as with so many other different types of bat species. Humans are associated with exposure, the natural environment of these creatures, chemicals and different bacteria. As a result, a large number of these bats are exterminated in a short time.
When humans explore the natural environment of these bats, they cause a lot of stress and confusion. When that happens, they can not eat or mate.
@luisandra